Dental cavity restoration method

ABSTRACT

Dental cavities are restored with typical dental amalgam using a unique process. The amalgam is introduced into the cavity utilizing an amalgam carrier comprising an open-ended, large volume tubular member and interconnected handle member in conjunction with an independent compactor, preferably a vibrating compacting device. The dental amalgam is carried within the tubular member portion of the amalgam carrier and is forced into the cavity with the compacting device. Utilizing the method of the invention, large, multi-surface cavities can be restored while minimizing the possibility of contaminating the cavity area by hand contact.

United States Patent [1 1 Schwartz et al.

[ DENTAL CAVITY RESTORATION METHOD [75] Inventors: Robert Schwartz, 1271Westfield Ave., Rahway, NJ.; Morris Goldberg, Port Washington, NY.

[73] Assignee: Dr. Robert Schwartz, Rahway, NJ.

[22] Filed: Mar. 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 341,369

521 Us. Cl. 32/15 [51] Int. Cl. A61C 7/00 [58] Field of Search 32/51,57, 60, 56, 15

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,352,808 7/1944 Siquelane32/60 3,280,459 10/1966 Walker et al. 32/60 3,553,841 l/1971 Austin, Jr.32/56 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 159,940 1964 U.S.S.R 32/60 Oct.28, 1975 Primary ExaminerRobert Peshock Attorney, Agent, or F irm-JeromeE. Luecke [5 7] ABSTRACT Dental cavities are restored with typicaldental amalgam using a unique process. The amalgam is introduced intothe cavity utilizing an amalgam carrier comprising an open-ended, largevolume tubular member and interconnected handle member in conjunctionwith an independent Compactor, preferably a vibrating compacting device.The dental amalgam is carried within the -tubular member portion of theamalgam carrier and is forced into the cavity with the compactingdevice. Utilizing the method of the invention, large, multi-surfacecavities can be restored while minimizing the possibility ofcontaminating the cavity area by hand contact.

4 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure us. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 3,914,868

DENTAL CAVITY RESTORATION METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention The present invention relates to a process for therestoration of dental cavities. More particularly,'the present inventionrelates to a process for repairing dental cavities while minimizing thepossibility of contaminating the cavity area through contact with thehands of the dental practitioner.

2. Description of the Prior Art Silver-mercury based amalgams have beenemployed for many years for the restoration of dental cavities. Thecavity is restored by inserting amalgam within the previously preparedcavity surface. Typically, the dental practitioner packs amalgam withinthe cavity void with the use of a combination amalgam carrier/packingdevice. The carrier typically consists of a small diameter tubeconnected to a handle member and interconnected mechanical means forforcing amalgam contained within the tube into the cavity void. Theamount of amalgam material capable of being carried with these devicesis very limited because a great deal of mechanical energy is required toforce large quantities of the highly viscous amalgam material from arelatively large diameter carrying tube into the cavity void.Accordingly, the volume capacity of typical combination amalgamcarrier/packing devices in relatively small. Normally, the carrier tubeof prior art carrier/packing devices have a circular cross section of adiameter less than about ,6 inch. Accordingly, when such devices areemployed in restoring large, multi-surface cavities, the practitioner isforced to make a number of passes from the amalgam mixing area to thepatients mouth to carry the required volume of amalgam into the patientsdentition. Because a large number of passes are required, theprobabilities of contaminating the amalgam and/or cavity surface throughhand contact are greatly increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The difficulties encountered using prior artcavity filling techniques are overcome utilizing the process of thepresent invention. With the present process, cavities are restored usingan amalgam carrier having a relatively large volume capacity inconjunction with an independent-compacting device, preferably avibrating compacting device, most preferably a typical dental vibratingcondenser. The amalgam carrier comprises an open-ended tubular memberinterconnected with a handle member. Cavities are restored by (i)introducing dental amalgam within the tubular member portion of theamalgam carrier, (ii) placing one of the open ends of the tubular memberportion of the amalgam carrier into congruence with the dental cavity orarea where the dental amalgam is sought to be deposited and (iii)thereafter introducing the terminal portion of an independent compactingdevice, preferably a vibrating condenser, into the other open end of thetubular member to force the amalgam contained therein into the dentalcavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the accompanying FIGURE in which the use ofthe large volume amalgam carrier/vibrating compactor combination isshown.

The precise configuration of the tubular member portion of the amalgamcarrier is not critical. Specifically, the tubular member may have ahorizontal cross section of any desired geometrical shape, e.g.circular, rectangular, triangular, etc. Preferably, the major internalhorizontal axis of the cross section of the tubular member, that is, thedistance between the furthest opposed points on the tubular member'scross section, is greater than about inch. Preferably, tubular membershaving an essentially cylindrical configuration are employed. Desirably,the internal diameter (major internal horizontal axis) of such cylindersis greater than about 3/16 of an inch but less than about 1 inch. Theheight of the tubular members desirably varies between 1/16 to 1 inch.

The compacting device employed in conjunction with the amalgam carriermay be of any of the usual types employed in dental or or orthodonticpractice. Normally, a typical dental vibrating condenser having aterminala vibrating workpiece is used.

As noted above, the dental amalgam is forced from within the tubularmember portion of the amalgam carrier by introducing the terminalportion of the compacting device into the open end of the tubularmember. This action, especially where a vibrating compacting device isemployed, serves to force the amalgam contained in the carrier from thetubular member into the previously prepared cavity surface.

The FIGURE illustrates the operation of the present cavity restorationmethod. An amalgam carrier comprising tubular member 10 having acylindrical configuration that is interconnected with handle member 11is shown located approximately on top of the mid-buccal cusp of onelower six-year molar (first molar) of arch structure A. The amalgamcontained within the tubular portion of the carrier is removed therefromby introducing the terminal vibrating portion 12 of a vibratingcompacting device 20 into the open end of tubular member 10. Thevibrating action of the compacting device serves to dislodge the amalgamfrom within the carrier and form an acceptable bond between the amalgamand cavity void.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for restoring a dental cavity with dental amalgamcomprising:

a. introducing dental amalgam within the tubular member portion of anamalgam carrier comprising an open-ended, open tubular member andinterconnected handle member, the major internal horizontal axis of saidtubular member being greater than about 3/16 inch;

b. placing one open end of said tubular member portion of said amalgamcarrier into congruence with said dental cavity; and

. introducing the workpiece portion of an independent compacting device,said workpiece portion having a substantially smaller diameter than themajor horizontal axis of said tubular member, into the other open end ofsaid tubular member to force the amalgam contained therein into saiddental cavity whereby said dental cavity is restored while minimizingthe possibility of contaminating said dental cavity through contact withthe hands of the dental practioner.

2. The method of claim 1 where said compacting device is a vibratingcompacting device.

3. the method of claim 1 wherein said tubular member has a circularhorizontal cross section.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said tubular mem ber has a circularhorizontal cross section.

1. A method for restoring a dental cavity with dental amalgamcomprising: a. introducing dental amalgam within the tubular memberportion of an amalgam carrier comprising an open-ended, open tubularmember and interconnected handle member, the major internal horizontalaxis of said tubular member being greater than about 3/16 inch; b.placing one open end of said tubular member portion of said amalgamcarrier into congruence with said dental cavity; and c. introducing theworkpiece portion of an independent compacting device, said workpieceportion having a substantially smaller diameter than the majorhorizontal axis of said tubular member, into the other open end of saidtubular member to force the amalgam contained therein into said dentalcavity whereby said dental cavity is restored while minimizing thepossibility of contaminating said dental cavity through contact with thehands of the dental practioner.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein saidcompacting device is a vibrating compacting device.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said tubular member has a circular horizontal crosssection.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said tubular member has acircular horizontal cross section.